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reviving divided communities through social entrepreneurship

reviving divided communities through social entrepreneurship

  • The Fronterra Foundation is happy to announce the transfer of its rights and activities to Western Balkans Network, a Mostar-based NGO whose mission is to build bridges between people in the Western Balkans, across shared interests of post-conflict reconciliation, fostering active citizenship and preservation of cultural heritage.

Our Why

Across Europe communities suffer from social tensions and economic stagnation. Old and new animosities emerge, fueled by populism and nationalism. In this toxic climate the talented few leave while the majority languishes in mutual embitterment.

We believe that the key to turning around this vicious cycle is getting people across the divide to recognize what they share, in terms of their local culture and nature, and the material and immaterial value these embody. We then help them to unlock this value through shared and social entrepreneurship, in areas such as ecotourism and sustainable agriculture. This way, we help create new clusters of collaboration and trust that can withstand the corroding forces of ethnicism.

Read more about our mission

“Fronterra gave me hope that it is possible to realize what you desire” Maid, participant Mostar BiH program

What we do

1.Deep Dive

Retreat in nature. Test your limits. Drop stereotypes and prejudices. Discover inner drive. Learn about local nature and culture. Understand its value. Take responsibility. Explore opportunities. Co-create start-up ideas

2.Springboard

Develop the eco-business propositions. Test and improve them. Create synergy between the start-up ideas. Become a deeply committed team. Engage the local community. Prepare for launch

3.Community Dinner

Host an open-air dinner. Gather community leaders. Pitch the proposals. Celebrate local produce and local traditions. Spark cross-community pride and hope. Win support. Launch start-ups

Ripple

Set up trade event to boost sales. Start new program in the same region. Interconnect clusters. Broaden regional impact and resilience

Blog

Reflecting on Mostar: The Recipe for Success - by Inga Kotlo

February 22, 2018

Reflecting on Mostar: The Recipe for Success – by Inga Kotlo

It has been more than a year since Fronterra sparked off a “can-do and will-do” spirit in Mostar

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Reflecting on Mostar: The Recipe for Success - by Inga Kotlo

In these days of industrialised food, we tend to forget how food has shaped our identity. Food not only expresses who we are, it is also a powerful social lubricant.

Projects

May 18, 2016

Struga & Ohrid, Macedonia

Creating a courageous community of young visionary talent at the shores of Lake Ohrid

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September 15, 2016

Mostar, Bosnia-Hercegovina

Bridging differences under the Bridge

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October 29, 2016

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Bread & Salt: A connecting dinner with immigrant artists and influentials in the Dutch art scene at RIJKS restaurant, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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October 24, 2018

Via Egnatia

Bringing communities together along the old Roman highway that straddles from Albania to Turkey

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November 08, 2018

Cyprus

Developing eco-solutions to climate-change in the Buffer Zone

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April 16, 2019

Kostajnica, Croatia & Bosnia-Hercegovina

Reuniting Croats, Serbs and Bosniaks along the border river Una

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The essential challenge is to transform the isolation and self-interest within our communities into connectedness and caring for the whole

Peter Block, author

Do you want to contribute

Fronterra is always looking for capable and committed volunteers. Tell us what motivates you and how you would like to help.

Make a donation

We truly think your money is well spent here. And if your grant is substantial, your are welcome to witness how it works.

“Food, at the moment, seems to be the only unifying force in this highly fractured place” Ottolenghi

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